Member for Currumbin, Jann Stuckey MP has welcomed the announcement that the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation will receive $100,000 from the Queensland Government to assist in caring for injured koalas.

“The second round of the Queensland Government’s Koala Rescue and Rehabilitation Grant program has provided these well-deserved, and very welcome, funds to the Hospital,” Ms Stuckey said.

“This grant will assist the hospital foundation in planting 15,000 koala fodder trees on a 6.4-hectare site leased from SEQ Water, and to build facilities for storing gum leaves that will be used to feed the ever increasing koala population at the hospital.

“Over the years it has been a common sight for staff to canvas the streets for leaves to feed the koalas at the Hospital.

“With the number of animals admitted now growing to over 7000 animals per year their resources are stretched and it is pleasing to see the government is able to provide funds to assist in their efforts.

“I applaud the Currumbin Sanctuary Wildlife Hospital staff and over 100 volunteers for their invaluable, life-saving work rehabilitating sick and injured koalas.

“After many years of lobbying hard for CWS it is great to have the local member Jann Stuckey alongside Minister Powell announce the most significant state government grant which will help our wild koalas,” Mr Fisher said.

“The Newman Government is delighted to assist the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation and the Currumbin Sanctuary Wildlife Hospital with their vital koala work,” he said.

Mr Powell said the Koala Rescue and Rehabilitation Grants were part of the Queensland Government’s $26.5 million Investing to protect our koalas initiative.

“The Koala Rescue and Rehabilitation Grants help us to help community organisations extend our koala conservation beyond habitat protection by delivering real support in rescuing and rehabilitating this unique species.”

Mr Powell said the next Koala Rescue and Rehabilitation Grants funding round would be announced later in 2014.